David Brenner, father of observational comedy, dies at 78…

[happyg]

 AP reports that A spokesman for the family of comedian David Brenner says the “Tonight Show” favorite has died. He was 78.

He died Saturday afternoon at his home in New York City, said Jeff Abraham, who was Brenner’s publicist. He was considered the father of observational comedy, a form of humor that relied on impromptu quips rather than canned jokes.

A few notes from his Wikipedia entry stand out, including the fact that he holds the record for appearances — 158 — on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” He also had a gift for communication which apparently led him to be assigned as a cryptographer while in the army and his college course choices:

After high school, he largely hung out on the street corners for two years, followed by two years in the army, serving in the 101st Airborne and as a cryptographer of the 595th Signal Corp in Boblingen, Germany. After being discharged, he attended Temple University where he majored in mass communication, graduating with honors.


His stand-up routine was vibrant and he was still working last December, including a New Year’s Eve show at a casino-resort in King of Prussia, PA, and was a constant presence on the talk-show circuit:

Brenner was ranked No. 53 on “Comedy Central Presents: 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time.” At one point, he had appeared more often on major TV Talk Shows than any other entertainer.

His family life left something to be desired with two divorces and multiple custody battles, but despite Hollywood and the delusion of romanticism, he was dedicated to his children:

Brenner had three children named Slade, Wyatt and Cole. He and the mother of his first son, Cole, fought a custody battle lasting several years in The Supreme Court of New York. Brenner finally won custody in 1992.

Brenner married Elizabeth Slater of New York, the mother of his sons Slade and Wyatt, in the closing minutes of his “Live from The Venetian Hotel” show in Las Vegas on February 19, 2000. They divorced a little over a year later and fought two custody battles, both of which Brenner won.
 
Brenner is also survived by his third wife, figure skater Tai Babilonia, whom he married on March 7, 2011.

Brenner was a star,” comic Richard Lewis tweeted. “The king of ‘hip, observational comedy.’ Mentored me. He was family. This leaves an irreplaceable hole.”



http://www.catholicismusa.com/david-brenner-father-of-observational-comedy-dies-at-78/

 


 

[Rapunzel]

Brenner is also survived by his third wife, figure skater Tai Babilonia, whom he married on March 7, 2011.

Wow, didn't know that .. would have been quite an age difference.

[happyg]

Brenner is also survived by his third wife, figure skater Tai Babilonia, whom he married on March 7, 2011.

Wow, didn't know that .. would have been quite an age difference.

[mountaineer]

Comedian David Brenner wrote hilarious last will and testament
By Richard Johnson, NY Post
May 19, 2014 | 8:40pm

David Brenner got the last laugh by writing a hilarious last will and testament that reads, “All I want is a small stone on the grave site with these words; ‘Here lies David Brenner. He lived, he died, but MAN DID HE LIVE!’ ”

Brenner, who died in March of cancer at 78, wrote the will in 2006, leaving everything to his three children, except for $500,000 he bequeathed to Kenneth Cole, the fashion designer married to Maria Cuomo.

Herb Nass, the lawyer who filed the will yesterday in Manhattan Surrogate Court, said, “Kenneth Cole is a remarkably generous and charitable man who was a close friend of David Brenner’s.”

Neither Brenner’s ex-wife nor the mother of his oldest son, nor his widow Ruth, is mentioned in the document, which also says of his gravestone: “On the flip side I want ‘If this is supposed to be a joke — I don’t get it.’ ”

Though he was born and raised in Philadelphia, Brenner wrote, “I desire to be buried in or as close to New York City as possible, because this is the city of my dreams, my best times, my heart and my life.

“I request a very modest burial, no fancy box, no pillow (you think at a time like this I’m worried about a headache?), no special suit (jeans and nice shirt will be fine, but make sure my high-top sneakers are tied properly).

“Place one hundred dollars in small bills in my left sock (just in case tipping is recommended where I’m going).”

Brenner, who appeared on “The Tonight Show” more than 150 times and was beloved as a mentor to younger comics, wrote, “I give my full permission to any comedians who may think of a funny line while at the funeral to use it in his act, for I know how difficult it is to write good material. However, if any comedians are overheard doing any of my lines at the funeral, they are to be put in the box with me.”

Under “Personal Farewell” he wrote, “To those who have been kind to me and have loved me, I thank you. To those who were not kind to me and didn’t love me, I hope you’re next!”

[flowers]

Comedian David Brenner wrote hilarious last will and testament
By Richard Johnson, NY Post
May 19, 2014 | 8:40pm

I remember him going on the late show. he was funny.

[NavyCanDo]

I could never look at him and not think of Gilligan. There was a resemblance there.